Airtight lid for containers



Feb. 22, 1949. H, wElsS 2,462,445

AIRTIGHT LID FOR CONTAINERS .Filed Sept. 25, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F/GZ www,

Feb. 22, H WEISS -AIRTIGHT LID FOR CONTAINERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sepn. 25, 1945 F/G/O.

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*MMM/5 Attorneys.

Patented Feb. 22, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AIRTIGHT.. LID FOR CONTAINERS Hugo Weiss, London, England Application September 25, 1945, Serial No. 618,430 In Great Britain September 2,6, 1944 10 Claims. l

This invention relates to air-tight closures for containers of all kinds, in which solid, liquid or gaseous substances can be stored. The invention is especially applicable where the contents oi the container should be stored in vacuo.

The object of the invention is the provision of improvements in such lids, and the invention consists broadly of a closure for containers, comprising a flexible sealing ring, an outer and an inner pressure element located on the two sides thereof, and means for alternatively pressing said pressure elements towards one another or releasing them apart, said sealing ring and pressure elements, when the latter are released apart, being adapted to fit into the mouth oi the container with said sealing ring lying just within the inner periphery of said mouth, and the arrangement being such that when said pressure elements are then pressed towards one another said sealing ring is squeezed and deformed, and the outer periphery thereof is forced into sealing relation against the inner periphery of said container mouth.

In order that the invention shall be the more clearly understood a number of closures and containers in accordance therewith will now be described, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a sectional elevation of the upper part of a container together with a closure there for, the closure being in the non-sealing position;

Figure 2 is a similar View of the same, with the closure in the sealing position;

Figure 3 is a portion of a similar View to Figure 1 illustrating a variant;

Figure 4 is a similar view to Figure 3 illustrating another variant;

Figure 5 is a similar view to Figure l illustrating a further variant;

Figure 6 is a portion of a similar' View to Figure 5 illustrating a further variant;

Figure 7 is a similar view to Figure 6 illustrat ing a further variant;

Figure 8 is a similar View oi the same with the closure in the sealing position;

Figure 9 is a sectional elevation of an alternative, the closure being in the non-sealing position;

Figure l0 is a similar view of the same, with the closure at the iully sealing position;

Figure 11 is a similar view of the same, with the closure at an intermediate position whose purpose will be described;

Figure 12 is a sectional elevation of the principal elements of an alternative form of closure, shown at the non-sealing position;

Figure 13 is a similar view of the same, shown at the sealing position;

Figure 14 is a sectional elevation of a small stopper in accordance with the invention.

Referring rst to Figures 1 and 2, a container l, which may take the form of an ordinary jar, is adapted tobe closed and sealed by means of a closure comprising a circular under plate 2 and a circular over plate 3 with a rubber sealing ring 4 between their outer edges. Means are provided for pressing said under plate 2 and over plate 3 together, or, alternatively, permitting them to separate. In operation they are first permitted to separate as in Figure 1 so that the sealing ring l is undistorted and, in their separated state, they are inserted into the mouth of the container. The under pate and over plate fit easily into the mouth of the container and the outer periphery of the sealing ring ts fairly close to the inner periphery of the container mouth as indicated. The under plate and over plate are then pressed together as in Figure 2, and this causes the sealing ring to be distorted and squeezed outwardly in the manner shown so that it seals tightly against the inner periphery oi the container mouth, and also against .the adjacent surfaces of the under plate and over plate as shown.

It will be seen that the under surface 5 oi the over pate 3, where it engages the sealing ring 4, is bevelled on a convex curve, and that, the upper surface E of the under plate 2, where it engages the sealing ring, is also bevelled on a convex curve. This is found to be the most satisfactory way of squeezing the sealing ring 4 in the required manner. Also one of the plates, in the case of Figures 1 and 2 the over plate 3, has its under surface formed with a shoulder 'l just within the bevelled surface 5. This shoulder lies within the sealing ring 4 and helps to locate the same when the plates are in the separated state of Figure 1.

Means are provided for locating the plates a suitable distance within the mouth of the container. In the case of Figures 1 and 2, these means comprise a marginal extension 8 of the over plate, which extends outwardly from the outer, and therefore the upper, edge of the surface 5, and which overhangs, and rests on, the rim of the container mouth. In practice, therefore, the closure is pressed into the container mouth until this marginal extension 8 rests on the rim of the container mouth, andthe plates are pressed together, this producing a lifting of the under plate.

As shown, sealing ring Il is of square or rectangular cross section with a V channel out its inner surface.

The means for pressing the plates together consist oi" a screwed post which upstands .integrally from ie centre oi the under plate Si and passes freely through'a hole Iiil `in Ithe centr-e of the over plate 3, and a nut II which screws lon the outer end of said screwed post and accordingly presses down on the over plate.

In practice, if no provision were made beyond what has been heretofore described, it might be diicult to break the seal by simply `unsorewing the nut II, particularly when there is a vacuum in the container. To ensure the easy'breaking of the seal, a small bore hole I 2 passes completely through the post 9 from the under surface of the under plate 2 to the upper' end of said post. When f the nut II is screwed fully down for squeezing the sealing ringed into the sealing position, a rubber pad I3, located in an enlarged recess at the upper end of the tapped hole of said nut,

pressesdown on the upper `end of said post 9,

thereby closing said hole I2 and completing the seal. When said nut II is loosened said pad I3 is lifted clear of said post 9, owing to its being in said enlarged recess, and the hole I2 conimunicates with the atmosphere by way of a small radial hole AIII through the wall of the nut. Thus the sealfis positively broken. The provision of the -enlarged recess for the pad i3 is necessary. Otherwise, under conditions of vacuum inthe container, atmospheric pressure would hold said 1;;

pad vdown lon the top of the'post 9, and the nut II, when unscrewed would leave it behind.

YThe sealing ring 4, vas wellas effecting a seal in the .manner described, lxes the closure tightly in the ...mouth of the container so that it is irnpossible .or extremely difficult to pull it out while in the-.sealing condition.

.Figure 3 .shows a modification according to whicha rubber gasket I5 is provided on the under surface .of the marginal extension V8 so that a second seal is .eiected between said marginal extension and the rim of the .rubber mouth. In Figure V3 also a shoulder I6 is formed on the upper surface of the under plate 2 for helping to locate the sealing ring 4 in the same manner as the shoulder 1.

YFigure 4 shows a .modification according to which the sealing ring 4b is of square or rectangular section, without a V channel in its inner surface.

lFigure 5 shows a modification according to which, `instead of the marginal extension 8 on the `over plate '3 for locating the closure the correct distance within the container mouth, the inner periphery of the container mouth is formed with a shoulder or ledge Il on which the under plate`2 rests. In Figure 5 also, the shoulder 'I is omitted, the Yshoulder I6 being alone relied on for locating the sealing ring.

Figure 6 shows a modification in which the inner periphery of the container mouth is formed with a plurality of annular projecting ribs IS which bite into the sealing ring 4 when the same is squeezed to the sealing position. Thereby enhancing the sealing effect and securing the closure the more firmly against withdrawal when in the sealing state.

Figures '7 and 8 showa modification in which the sealing ring 4e is of circular section. Also the inner periphery of thecontainer. mouth is formed u show an alternative means for sealing and unsealing the upper end of the hole I2.

In this alternative, in place of the rubber pad I3, a small rubber ball Ztl is located in an enlarged recess 2! at the upper end of the tapped 'ihole of the nut Il, which ball can move up and down through a distance of about two millimeters more-or-less in said recess. The aforesaid ne radial hole I Il joins the tapped hole of the nut I I just below the bottom of said recess. Said ball 20 is too large to pass into the tapped hole of the nut.

With this arrangement, if the nut I I is screwed right down as in Figure 10, the ball 2li is pressed down in a deformed condition on top of the post Si as shown and the upper end of the bore hole I2 is effectively sealed under al1 conditions. If said nut is screwed up as shown in Figure 9 so that the ball 253 is well clear of the upper end of the post Q, the upper end of the bore hole I2 i is effectively unsealed under all conditions. If,

however, the nut II is unscrewed to the position of Figure 11 such that the ball 2S is clear of.

the top oi the recess 2| but is able to engage the top of the post 9, a valve is formedwhich acts to permit the outflow, but to prevent,.at

least temporarily, the iniiow, of air to the container. Thus it will be clear that, when the pressure in the container is higher than that outside, air will ow out of the bore hole I2, through the clearance between the upper turns of the screw threads, and out through the hole I4. When, on the other hand, the pressure outside is greater than that within the container air will pass in through the radial hole III, and, be-

i fore an appreciable quantity has flowed down the bore hole I2 into the container, some will have owed up past the ball and will have raised the pressure in the top of the recess 2i and accordingly pressed the ball down on to the top of .i the post 9, with suicient pressure to form at least a temporary seal of the hole I2.

If the arrangement is such that, when the nut is screwed down to the position of Figure 11, the under plate and the over plate are sufficiently pressed together to effect an at least temporary seal. the container can be easily evacuated in the following way:

The container I, with the closure in place therein and the nut I I screwed to the position of Figure 11, is placed in a chamber which is then closed and evacuated of air. The container I also becomes evacuated, since, as above described, the air is free to ow through the holes .I2 and I il. The chamber is then opened in order that the container can be removed, but this does not immediately destroy the vacuum in said container, since, as above described, the ball 2li acts as a valve and the sealing ring Il is effecting an at least temporary seal. The container is therefore rapidly removed and the nut I I screwed down to the fully sealing position.

if the arrangement is as .in Figures 5 to 8, a ledge I l being provided for the under plate the above operation can take pl ce even if the sealing ring is not making a seal when the nutl I is at the position of Figure 11. This is because when the outer chamber is opened and the vacuum therein is broken, the rise in, pressure will hold the under plate 2 down on the ledge il thereby creating a temporary seal which will serve until the nut i i is screwed fully down. rChe temporary seal eiiected by forcing the under plate down on to the ledge as described will obviously depend for its effectiveness on the accuracy with which the engaging surfaces of the under plate and ledge are formed. A sufficiently accurate nt can be obtained under conditions oi mass production ior maintaining the vacuum for a iew minutes, hours or even days without the over plate being closed down and thereby forcing the rubber outwards as stated to form the permanent seal.

It will be seen from the above it is possible to put a number of containers into a chamber which is then evacuated, and, when the vacuum in the chamber is broken, and the containers removed, the nuts can be screwed up at leisure, and, in the meantime, the containers will retain their vacuum.

Referring Anow to Figures 12 and 13, these illustrate another embodiment of the invention in which the screwed nut l! is dispensed with, and the pressing together of the under plate and the over plate effected by means of a lever 22. `In this case, the post 9a extending up from the under plate through the over plate 3 is flattened so as to form a plate. The said lever 22 is bifurcated at one end and is pivoted, about a horizontal pivot pin 23 to this plate 9a with its branches oi bifurcation 2d on. each side thereof. The said two branches of bifurcation 24 have their edge surfaces 25 formed as cams, in such a way that when the lever 22 is rotated about said pivot said edge surfaces act to press downwards (as in Figure 13), or release upwards (as in Figure l2), the over plate 3. Thus said lever 22 functions in the same way as the screwed cap l l to press the two plates together or permit them to separate.

A ne hole 12o, corresponding to the axial hole l2 the screwed post 9 of the preceding embodiments. extending up through the under plate 2 and into the vertical plate Sa and turns sideways and breaks out at the edge of said vertical plate. pad lila is mounted in the crutch portion of the bifurcated lever and this pad is so arranged. and the plate en so shaped. that, when the lever 22 is turned to the sealing position of Figure 13, said pad I la closes the outer end of said hole lila, thereby completing the seal in the saine way as the pad i3 of the preceding embodiments.

As will be clear from Figure 13, when the lever 22 is moved fully down until the pad i311. closes the hole IZd, the surfaces 25 are just past the dead centre position, and thus the pad i3d will be kept pressed against the end of the hole 12a.

Referring now to Figure 14 this illustrates a simple embodiment of the invention in which the closure takes the vform of a stopper suitable for closing a bottle. In this case the reference 2 designates the under plate and the reference 9 the screwed post as before. No separate over plate is however provided, but the screwed nut 2li. which screws down on the post 9, also assumes the functions of the over plate. the sealing ring being located directly between the upper surface of the under plate 2 and the under surface of said nut 26.

For purposes of manufacturing convenience.

thai-sealing ring is made up of two equal component rings 4a arranged coaxially together. The bore hole of each component ring increases in diameter from its outer to its inner face (that is the iace which abuts against the other component ring) so that the cross section of the composite ring is somewhat similar to that of the g oi Figure 1. The nut is cylindrical and is formed with a head at its outer end whose under surface 21? abuts against the rim of the bottle mouth. The component rings du. when in their normal or uncompressed state, have cylindrical outer surfaces or" a slightly larger diameter than that oi the lower portion of the nut 26.

ln operation the stopper, with the component rings at the uncompressed state illustrated, is pressed into the mouth o the bottle in the way until the surface Zi abuts against the rim. The component rings will engage Frictionally within the mouth of bottle. lThe nut 25 is then turned in the screwirf '-up direction.. Owing to friction with the mouth oi the bottle the cornponent rings 'tu will not rotate and neither will the under plate E and screwed post S, owing to friction oi the under plate with the lower cornponent ring da. Therefore the nut 2li will be screwed down and the component rings will be compressed between said nut and the under plate, and will expand outwardly, therefore effecting a complete seal.

As will be seen from the drawing the screwed post 9 is provided with an axial bore hole l2, and the nut 2t is provided with a radial hole le and also with a pad i3 at the upper end of its tapped hole. These elements function in exactly the saine way as the corresponding elements of Figure 1.

Although the closure has been described as being circular it could obviously be of other shapes such elliptical or even rectangular.

It will be seen that the invention provides a simple and effective closure for containers whether the latter are adapted to serve as vacuum containers or as ordinary containers. The closure is easy to apply and remove, no tool being necessary for this purpose. The closure does not depend for its eieotiveness on accuracy or workmanship, and the ring will form a hermetic seal even if the walls of the container are not even and smooth. The closure `can be applied and removed any number of times, making perfect seal upon each reclosure.

The channels l2 and le permit the gases to escape when the contents or" the container are heated. and by screwing down the nut ll when the container is subsequently cooled, a vacuum is produced in natural way.

It will be seen that in general the rubber ring does not come in contact with the contents of the container.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A. closure for the mouth of a container, said closure comprising a flexible sea-ling ring` pressure means providing inner and outer pressure members between which flexible sealing ring is located, tight-e -ihg ns inclu ing post upstanding from the inner pressure member and relativelyv adjustable in opposite directions to compress said pressure members upon said sealing ring to expand the saine radially or alternatively to relai; the press re on the sealing ring, said upstanding post being provided with a vent passage therethrough, and sealing means movable by said tightening means positively to seal or .to unseal said vent passage upon adjustment 7 of saidti'ghtening means to compress yor to relax the pressure, respectively, on said sealing ring. 2. A closure for the mouth of a container, said closure vcomprising a flexible sealing ring, an outer pressure element and an inner pressure disc between which said sealing ring is located,

a post upstanding from said inner pressure disc and passing freely through an opening in said outer pressure element, a tightening element mounted on said post on the outside of said outer pressure element and adjustable in opposite directions to apply pressure on or alternatively to relax pressure from said outer pressure element, said outer pressure element and inner pressure disc when tightened towards one another exerting pressure upon said sealing ring to squeeze and deform the same to expand radially to seal against the inner periphery of a container mouth, said post being provided with a bore hole terminating at its inner end at the inner face of said inner pressure disc, and sealing means for said bore hole actuated to sealing position by said tightening element when adjusted to tighten said outer pressure element and said inner pressure disc towards one another, said sealing means being actuated to unseal the bore hole when said tightening element is adjusted to relax said outer pressure element and said inner pressure disc away from one an other.

3. A closure 'for the mouth of a container, said closure comprising a iiexible sealing ring, an outer pressure element and an inner pressure disc between which said sealing ring is located, apost upstanding from said inner pressure disc and passing freely through an opening in said outer pressure element, a nut threaded on said post on the outside of said outer pressure element and adjustable in opposite directions to apply pressure on or alternatively to relax pressure from said outer pressure element, said outer pressure element and inner pressure disc when tightened towards one another exerting pressure upon said sealing ring to squeeze .and deform the same to expand radially to seal against the inner periphery of a container mouth, said post being provided with a bore hole terminating at its inner end at the inner face of said inner pressure disc, and sealing means for said bore hole actuated to sealing position by said nut when adjusted to tighten said outer pressure element and said inner pressure disc towards one another, said sealing means being actuated to unseal the bore hole when said nut is adjusted to relax said outer pressure element yand said inner pressure disc away from one another.

4. A closure for the mouth of a container, said closure comprising a flexible sealing ring, an outer pressure element and an inner pressure disc between which said sealing ring is located, a post upstanding from said inner pressure disc and passing freely through .an opening in said outer pressure element, a nut screwed on said post on the outside of said outer pressure element and adjustable relatively to said post to apply pressure on or alternatively to relax pressure from ysaid outer pressure element, thereby alternatively to tighten said outer pressure element and inner pressure disc towards one another orto relax them away from one another, said outerpressure element and inner pressure dise when tightened .towards one another being adapted to squeeze and deformsaid sealing ring .to lexpand yit radially 'to .seal :against the 'inner periphery of a container mouth, said post being provided with a bore hole terminating at its inner' end at the inner face of said inner pressure disc, and a sealing pad carried by said nut to seal the outer end of said bore hole when said nut is adjusted to tighten said outer pressure element and said inner pressure disc towards one another or alternatively to unseal the outer end of said bore hole when said nut is adjusted to relax said outer pressure element and said inner pressure disc away from one another.

5. A closure for the mouth of a container, said closure comprising the combination with a iiexible sealing ring, an inner and an outer pressure member between which said sealing ring is llecated, tightening means adjustable in opposite :directions to compress said pressure members upon said sealing ring to expand the ring radially or alternatively to relax the pressure Amembers, and said Vtightening means being provided with a vent passage having an inner end below said pressure members and said sealing ring, lof sealing means movable by said tightening means to three significant positions with respect to said vent passage, said sealing means being movable to alternate end positions positively to seal or to unseal said vent passage upon adjustment of said tightening means to fully tightened and fully relaxed positions respectively, and said sealing means having an intermediate position'in which if seals said vent passage against external pressure and unseals said vent passage to relieve internal pressure.

e. A closure for the mouth of a container, said closure comprising a iiexible sealing ring, an outer pressure member having an opening therethrough and an inner pressure member between wh h said sealing ring is located, a threaded post upstanding from said inner pressure member and passing freely through the opening of said outer pressure member, a nut threaded upon said post and adjustable thereon to engage said outer pressure member and force the same towards said inner pressure member to deform said sealing-ring and expand it radially for sealing engagement with circumferential periphery of a container mouth, said post being provided with a vent passage terminating at its inner end at the inner face of said inner pressure member, and sealing means for said vent passage; said sealing means comprising a exible ball, said nut 'having a chamber therein for receiving the ball, said chamber having a contracted mouth of less diameter than said ball, whereby said ball is positively moved to unseal said vent passage when said nut is adjusted away from said outer pressure member.

7. A closure as recited in claim 6, wherein said chamber within the nut has an axial length somewhat greater than the diameter of said ball, whereby said ball may rest freely on the end of said post atan intermediate position of said nut to seal said vent passage only against pressure outside said vent passage in excess of the pressure beneath said inner pressure member.

8. A closure for the mo-uth of a container, said closure comprising a exible sealing ring, an outer pressure member of annular form and an inner pressure member between which said sealing ring is located, a threaded post upstanding from'said inner pressure member and passing freely through the opening of said outer-pressure member, a cam lever mounted upon said post and-*adjustable thereon to Vengage 4said outer ipressure member and force the sametowardssaidfirmer mouth of a container, said closure comprising a flexible sealingring, an outer' pressure member of annular form and an inner pressure member between which said sealing ring is located, a threaded post upstanding from said inner pressure member and threaded into said outer pressure member, whereby relative rotation of pressure members deforme said sealing ring to expand the same into sealing engagement with a container mouth, said inner pressure member said -fest being provided with a vent passage therethrough, and sealing means carried by said outer pressure member for sealing said vent passage upon relative adjustment of said pressure members to deorrn said sealing ring* 10. A closure for the mouth er a container, said closure comprising a exible sealing ring between inner and outer pressure members, adjustable means movable in one direction to press said pressure members towards each other to press upon said sealing ring and expand it radially, said adjustable means being` movable in opposite direotions to relieve said sealing ring from pressure thereon by said pressure members, said pressure members and said sealing ring being provided with a vent passage therethrough, and sealing for said passage actuated by sai-d adjustable means to seal said passage upon displacement of said adjustable means to one end position and selectively to seal the passage against external but not internal pressure upon displacement of said adjustable means to an intermediate position.

HUGO WEISS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 38,600 Prosser May 19, 1863 70,654 Von Hofe Nov. 5, 1867 147,929 Gaines Feb. 24, 1874 303,558 Campbell Aug. 12, 1884 333,348 Hamilton Mar. 23, 1886 423,978 Abbe Mar. 25, 1890 735,402 North Aug. 4, 1903 741,989 Van Der Heide Oct. 20, 1903 2,292,149 Moeller Aug. 4, 1942 2,385,847 Skar Oct. 2, 1945 FOREELGN PATENTS Number Country Date 15,259 Great Britain June 25, 1897 18,953 Great Britain Aug. 12, 1910 126,960 Switzerland July 16, 1928 

